Introduction to our <strong>Japan</strong> : <strong>Old</strong> & <strong>New</strong> tourconfirming your place on the tour, and having established the facts, it is your responsibility to contact us with any concernsregarding individual levels of fitness, health or ability. Please be aware that our tour leaders have the right to excludecustomers from the tour if they feel they are not sufficiently fit, healthy or able to complete the tour without affecting itssafety, comfort or smooth progress. If you would like to discuss any of these issues further please the <strong>Japan</strong> team on 01993838 210 to discuss in more detail. Activity Level - Low/MediumA medium level of fitness is required for this trip but you should be physically active. You should be aware and prepared forall or any of the following on this trip:- To carry your own luggage through airports and from the vehicles to hotels and vice versa. However, some portering isincluded as are luggage transfers when travelling by train.- Walking up and down stairs to access train platforms.- To join all day walking tours of cities, monuments and historic sites. (All of these are optional).- To declare any food allergies or requirements prior to departure so that these can be incorporated into the itinerarywhere necessary. Extending Your TripYou have the option to extend your trip at either the beginning or end of your trip. Please contact the <strong>Japan</strong> team todiscuss options. Tipping PolicyTips for your guide are not included in the price of the trip. We suggest around £40-50 per couple for the whole trip. Tipsfor the drivers and porters have been included in the tour price. What to PackAutumn in <strong>Japan</strong> often presents a wide range in temperatures, from a chilly 5 or 6C in the mountains or early mornings, toa warm 20C or so in Hiroshima and Kyoto sometimes. Taking layers is essential, as is a waterproof and sturdy shoes.Visas<strong>Japan</strong>British nationals travelling on leisure can stay in <strong>Japan</strong> for up to 90 days without a visa.Important Note: We cannot under any circumstances guarantee that your visa application for any country will be accepted.However, in our experience refusals are extremely rare. Visa information is given in good faith and is accurate to the best ofour knowledge.6 Introduction to our <strong>Japan</strong> : <strong>Old</strong> & <strong>New</strong> tour
Day by day summary1 Saturday 18October 20142 Sunday 19October 20143 Monday 20October 20144 Tuesday 21October 20145 Wednesday 22October 20146 Thursday 23October 20147 Friday 24October 20148 Saturday 25October 20149 Sunday 26October 201410 Monday 27October 2014Fly overnight with British Airways, arriving the following day.At Narita airport you are met by your guide, who will bewith you for the duration of the trip. Once the full group hasassembled, we will transfer to Tokyo by airport limousinebus. Tonight the group meets for a relaxed, informalwelcome dinner to get to know the tour guide and fellowtravellers.Today we explore some of the main sights of Tokyo,including Meiji-jingu shrine, Asakusa and Tokyo Tower.A couple of hours` drive away from Tokyo is the seasidetown of Kamakura, celebrated for its ancient bronze GreatBuddha. We continue on to Hakone National Park in theafternoon and the small village of Miyanoshita.Hakone is best explored using a variety of publictransportation, including a cable car, funicular railway andlocal bus. The loop around the park is scenic and providesseveral Mt Fuji viewing spots along the way, weatherpermitting. We also pay a visit to the excellent Open AirMuseum, which houses sculptures by Henry Moore andPicasso, amongst others.This morning we transfer by private coach through the <strong>Japan</strong>Alps, stopping to pay a brief visit to Matsumoto, home to<strong>Japan</strong>`s oldest five tier castle. We continue on to the smallcity of Takayama.We explore Takayama on foot today, including the Sanmachimerchant area and Festival Float Museum.Between Takayama and today`s destination, Kanazawa, liesthe secluded village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site home to a unique, traditional building styleknown as gassho-zukuri. You have the opportunity to tryyour hand at <strong>Japan</strong>ese cookery today as we will be makingsoba buckwheat noodles for lunch. We continue on toKanazawa in the afternoon.The first stop today is Kanazawa`s most celebratedattraction, the Kenroku-en garden, rated as one of the threefinest stroll gardens in <strong>Japan</strong>. The afternoon is spent exploringsome more of this convivial city.We take the express and bullet trains from Kanazawa toHiroshima. On arrival we visit the moving Peace Park andMemorial Museum on foot.On-board the planeKeio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku,TokyoSuperior Room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast and dinner areincludedKeio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku,TokyoSuperior Room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedFujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita,HakoneStandard room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedFujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita,HakoneStandard room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast and dinner areincludedHotel Associa, TakayamaStandard twin for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedHotel Associa, TakayamaStandard twin for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedExcel Tokyu Hotel, KanazawaStandard room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast and lunch are includedExcel Tokyu Hotel, KanazawaStandard room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedANA Crowne Plaza Hotel,HiroshimaStandard room for 2 (Twin)Breakfast is includedDay by day summary 7